Potable water scarcity in Cap Haitien, system sabotage
By Wedlyne Jacques (kft, gp)
AlterPresse
English | French
Translated from the French by Dady Chery for Haiti Chery
Cap Haitien, Haiti — No water from the taps of Cap Haitien residents since months. And they must walk several kilometers to reach a source of water.
Some people interviewed by AlterPresse report that they wake up as early as 2:00 to 5:00 am (from 6:00 to 9:00 gmt) to queue for half a day to buy water that is not even fit for drinking, at five gourdes (12 cents) for a five-gallon bucket — which sometimes sells more expensively. (US $ 1.00 = 43.00 gourdes, 1 euro = 58.00 gourdes)
Everywhere: in populous neighborhoods and even in the most exclusive ones, you meet people carrying their containers with wheelbarrow or in a car in search of drinking water.
Water: an essential resource to satisfy various needs (consumption, washing, hygiene, cooking, etc.), has become increasingly rare in the country’s second city, 248 km north of Port-au-Prince.
The situation became even more unbearable in Summer 2012, which is timidly giving way to Fall.
The rise in temperature caused an increase in the daily consumption needs for water, many people say.
Faced with this situation, National Water Supply and Sanitation Department (DINEPA) administrator Gédéus Rico reported a sabotage of pipes under repair by individuals who recycle scrap metal.
He also noted a depletion of the ground water from the hills of Haut du Cap due to deforestation and the proliferation of uncontrolled construction.
DINEPA is currently working on a water supply system for Cap Haitien including pipes and reservoirs.
This work plans to supply water gradually to the inner-city population of Cap, pending an improvement in the supply system to provide water to other sections of the town, according to the departmental administration of DINEPA.
Source: AlterPresse (French) | Haiti Chery (English)
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